Algeria and Angola settled to share the spoils in an exhilarating Group D encounter of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations played at the Stade Bouake on Monday evening. 

Baghdad Bounejah had Algeria in the lead in the 18th minute before Agostinho Cristóvão Paciência leveled up from the penalty spot in the 68th minute.

Algeria dominated play in the opening half that saw Bounejah have a spectacular goal canceled out by VAR.

The two times African Champions came into the fixture as the favorite but they stuttered against a resilient Angola team.

Algeria had numerous chances to kill off the game in the first half but poor finishing let them down in the final third.

Head coach Djamel Belmadi was delighted to see his side take the lead thanks to the intelligence of Baghdad Bounejah slotting in from Youcef Belaili’s pass.

Bounejah thought he had scored his second with a spectacular bicycle kick but his goal was cancelled for offside after a VAR review.

Angola endured and grew more into the match to claim a point in the opening match they were second best.

Paciência known as Mabululu stepped up for the Palancas Negras when he won a penalty for his team.

He took the ultimate penalty and calmly slotted in to earn a valuable point in their opening Group D match.